Business of Law

Paralegal pay rises, nears $80 an hour for top positions, survey says

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Hourly pay rates for paralegals and other support staff rose last year at both law firms and corporate law departments, a survey says.

On average, base pay for paralegals went up to $36.57 at law firms and to $34.30 at corporate law departments, according to ALM Legal Intelligence and the the International Practice Management Association. Nearly 300 law firms and law departments participated, providing information about 9,500 positions, a press release explains.

Top pay for paralegals at law firms was $79.66 for a managerial position involving litigation support, technology and electronic discovery, followed by $76.42 for a paralegal director. The highest-earning law department job was for a paralegal supervisor paid $70.32. A manager of litigation support, technology and electronic discovery earned $65.35.

See also:

ABAJournal.com (May 2013): “$36 an hour is average pay for law firm paralegals, survey shows”

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